Milan Jaros (b.1979,Czech Republic) studied at the Academy of Performing Arts in Prague between 1998-2004. He currently works for the Czech magazine Respekt covering social issues such as the rise of racism in Eastern Europe, the environmental situation as well as projects abroad in Georgia, Lebanon and Israel. In 2009 he received the first prize in the ‘daily Life’ category of the Czech Press Photo competition and second prize in the Unicef Photo of the Year (2009). His work will be shown this month at the Lumix Festival for Young Photojournalism in Hannover, Germany.

About the Photograph:

“My photographs about the Romany in Slovakia was one of the first documentary projects I had ever made while still a student. I was fascinated by their authenticity and traditional way of life. It was something totally different from the boring middle class life of my surroundings and took me deeper into documentary photography. Ten years later I photographed this community for a reportage made for Respekt Magazine about how the Romany are adapting to the economic situation in Europe.”

“I have been documenting the life of women in Central Europe since 2002. I began as a student, because I wanted to find answers to my personal questions. I needed to deal with the fact that I am a woman and through my work I was searching for what it is to be a woman in Slovak society. Eastern European societies have undergone massive transformations in the past few years. Woman are taking examples from and idealizing western ways of life. Traditions are disappearing and intergenerational conflict is inevitable. The focus of life is becoming less immediate and increasingly aspirant.”

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Photographer and photo editor Geoffrey Hiller has created Verve Photo to feature photographs and interviews by the finest contemporary image makers today. Verve Photo is a reminder of the power of the still image. Verve Photo will also point you to new photo agencies, publications, and inspiring multimedia projects.